Viator (The Viator Chronicles Book 1) by Jane Ralston-Brooks Read Free Book Online Page A

kids.
    *****
    “Let’s put sprinkles on them. Lauren likes sprinkles,” Gwen said as she spread chocolate frosting on the cupcakes.
    “Sure.” Erin dug around in the cupboard until she found some blue and yellow candy sprinkles. “Here you go.”
    “Thanks. Why aren’t Lauren and Rose here yet? I think they’re late.”
    “It’s only five o’clock. They’re not late, but I’m sure they’ll be here soon.”
    Earlier in the day, Matthew and Gwen had helped clean the house, and Gwen had picked a bunch of fresh lilacs from the garden. Their fragrance mingled with the aroma of freshly baked cupcakes, and the whole house smelled delicious.
    The doorbell rang, and Gwen ran to answer it. Erin followed and greeted Rose and her mother. Lauren and her mother followed behind them.
    “You both got here at just the right time,” Erin said. “Come in, and you can help Gwen put the sprinkles on the cupcakes.”
    When the girls finished decorating the cupcakes, they ran upstairs to Gwen’s bedroom, and Matthew and his friend Jacob walked into the kitchen.
    “When’s that guy going to get here?” Matt asked.
    “I told him dinner’s at six, so he could be here any time soon,” Erin said. “Can you stay for some pizza, Jacob?”
    “I’ll call my mom and ask,” he said.
    Erin pulled out the dishes and glanced at the clock again. She wondered if Gary had changed his mind and would cancel, and the thought gave her a dull ache in the pit of her stomach.
    Matt stepped in front of Erin. “Is that guy your boyfriend?”
    “What? My boyfriend? I don’t know him well enough yet, Matt. I need to get to know him better before I could even think about that.”
    The doorbell rang.
    Erin put down the plates and walked to the entry hall while Matt and Jacob went upstairs. She paused for a moment, suddenly anxious about how Matt felt, then she opened the door to Gary.
    “Come on in,” she said. “I’m glad you found us again.”
    “It was easy,” Gary said as he walked inside. He was wearing khakis and a blue polo shirt, and Erin felt a bit underdressed in her worn jeans, T-shirt, and bare feet.
    “I had forgotten how far you are from town. Here’s a bottle of wine to go with dinner.” He handed her the bottle and walked to the living room window to look out at the Sound. Erin followed him.
    “Come outside and see the beach—it’s the best part.” She led him back through the house to the door in the kitchen and set the bottle on the counter.
    “Mmm, cupcakes,” Gary said, and he scooped frosting from the bowl onto his finger and licked it off.
    “We go all out when we have company. Dinner will be my world-famous homemade pizza, so you’re really in for a treat.”
    Gary’s eyes shone as he looked at her. “Wow, I’m impressed.”
    Erin laughed. “I’m exaggerating. I mean it’s good pizza and everything, but it’s simple.”
    “Yeah, sure.”
    “Let’s go down to see the beach for a minute, then I’ll put the pizzas in the oven.” Erin kept a pair of flip-flops at the back door, and she slipped them on her feet.
    They walked down the stone pathway. The wind blew and whitecaps dotted the water, but the tide was out, and the air smelled of seaweed. Erin led him onto the rocky beach and pointed out Whidbey Island and the direction to Deception Pass and to Seattle. The wind was brisk, and Erin’s arms were covered with goosebumps.
    “You’re getting cold,” Gary said.
    “Let’s go back inside. I’ll open that wine you brought.”
    “Sounds good.”
    A sailboat glided close to the shore, and Erin stopped to watch. Gary wrapped one arm around her shoulders and rubbed her arm to warm her. They gazed after the boat until it was out of sight, then looked at each other and smiled.
    Back inside, Erin put the pizzas into the oven and poured two glasses of wine. Gary helped her set the table and paused several times to look out the window. “This view is spectacular.”
    “Thanks. The house is old, and I